Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga made the statement while answering reporters’ questions about the earthquake.

The Foreign Ministry has already asked the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand to work closely with New Zealand’s relevant agencies to get more information and adopt timely measures to protect Vietnamese citizens when necessary, Nga added.

“We are deeply moved to hear about the strong earthquake that occurred in the South Island city of Christchurch on February 22, 2011, causing serious loss of life and property damage for the New Zealand people. We hope that New Zealand will soon overcome the aftermath of the earthquake,” she said.